EFFECT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN SUPPLY CHAIN OF VEGETABLES IN PANCHAPURI MUNICIPALITY, SURKHET, NEPAL
ABSTRACT
This study was conducted from February 2021 to July 2021 to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on the supply chain of vegetables in Panchapuri municipality, Surkhet district. A total of 96 farmers (population frame=480), 5 wholesalers and 5 retailers were purposively selected. Raosoft software was used for sample size determination. A household survey was carried out to collect information via a semi structured interview schedule. The data were coded and analyzed via MS Excel and SPSS. The analysis revealed the impact of lockdown on major vegetables, such as potato, tomato, cauliflower, onion, radish, okra, sponge gourd and cabbage. Accessibility in terms of input procurement, transportation availability and vegetable production during the pandemic decreased by 76%, 61.91% and 18%, respectively. The input price and labor cost during the pandemic increased by 29% and 73.05%, respectively. There was disruption in the distribution channel during the pandemic. Transport restrictions and border closures proved to be fatal for supply chain actors, as they could not fetch large amounts of vegetables.